ORLANDO, Fla. – Junior Daniel Leitner and doubles tandem senior Shayann Vaezzadeh and freshman Tuki Jacobs picked up wins for the University of South Alabama men's tennis team on the first day of the USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational Thursday.

Leitner (Niederfischbach, Germany) defeated Jesse Flores of Central Florida 7-5, 6-3 and Vaezzadeh (Bavent, France) and Jacobs (Windhoek, Namibia) topped Jake Albo and Jack Haffey of Florida State 8-4.

"We saw some great tennis today," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "We played well and competed even better. The results may not be four wins, but our level of play was great. I'm happy with the way we competed. Doubles was good. We are starting to have better chemistry."

In singles action, Matthew Gladstone of UCF edged Vaezzadeh 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, while junior Manuel Belda (Posadas, Misiones, Argentina) fell 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 to Carlos Benito of Georgia Tech. Jacobs also lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Brian Page of Illinois.

"It is hard to accept a loss when you come so close to a win," said Brochu. "All three singles matches we lost today were very close. Two matches went to three sets and could have gone either way. The tournament is very competitive. We will have very strong matches again tomorrow. We are looking forward to some good challenges."

Tournament play continues Friday morning at 8 a.m.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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